Office of Community
Oriented Policing Services
U.S. Department of Justice

For Immediate Release
April 7, 2006

CONTACT: Corey Ray
(202) 616-1728

COPS OFFICE RELEASES GUIDE ON THE USE OF VIDEO SURVEILLANCE AS A RESPONSE TO
CRIME

Closed-Circuit Television: Panacea to Crime and Disorder or Invasion Of
Privacy?

Washington, DC - The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented
Policing Services (COPS) has released a guide debating the use of video
surveillance technologies, such as closed circuit television (CCTV), by law
enforcement to address crime problems.

In today's world, the public is used to being watched by surveillance
technology in many commercial and semi-public establishments such as banks,
casinos, convenience stores, and shopping malls. The benefits of utilizing CCTV
may include a reduction in crime, reduced fear of crime, aid to police
investigation, place management and information gathering.

On the other side of the debate is the view of the growing use of CCTV as an
invasion of personal privacy. Indeed some unintended consequences of CCTV use
can include displacement, increased suspicion or fear of crime, and/or increased
crime reporting.

This newly released publication by the COPS Office tackles this dispute by
examining the research knowledge about video surveillance. The reader will not
only be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of CCTV in a public setting, but
also be able to answer many of the public's concerns.

"Video surveillance for crime prevention is a tactic increasing in
utilization," said Carl Peed, COPS Director. "This resource we've
produced is beneficial to both law enforcement and the community in
understanding the implementation of video surveillance and potential benefits
and concerns of the practice."